Introduction
In mammals, phagocytosis by phagocytes (e.g., macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils) is essential for a variety of biological events, including tissue remodeling and the continuous clearance of dying cells. Furthermore, phagocytosis represents an early and crucial event in triggering host defenses against invading pathogens. Phagocytosis comprises a series of events, starting with the binding and recognition of particles by cell surface receptors, followed by the formation of actin-rich membrane extensions around the particle. Fusion of the membrane extensions results in phagosome formation, which precedes phagosome maturation into a phagolysosome. Pathogens inside the phagolysosome are destroyed by lowered pH, hydrolysis, and radical attack (Figure 1). These early events that are mediated by the innate immune system are critical for host survival. As a result of this process, pathogen-derived molecules can be presented at the cell surface (antigen presentation), allowing the induction of acquired immunity.
Figure 1: Phagocytosis Processes. Zymosan (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is prepared from yeast cell wall and consists of proteincarbohydrate complexes. Zymosan is a commonly used pathogen in phagocytosis assays. Typically, engulfed Zymosan particles are manually counted (expressed as a phagocytosis index or engulfed particles per phagocyte). This manual counting method is quite cumbersome, time-consuming, and difficult when testing a large number of samples. Cell Biolabs CytoSelect 96-well Phagocytosis Assay (Zymosan) uses prelabeled Zymosan particles as a phagocytosis pathogen; however, it does not involve subjective manual counting of Zymosan particles inside cells. Instead external Zymosan particles are blocked before the colorimetric detection of engulfed particles (Figure 2). This format provides a quantitative, high-throughput method to 2
accurately measure phagocytosis. The CytoSelect 96-well Phagocytosis Assay (Zymosan) provides a robust system for screening TLR ligands, phagocytosis activators or inhibitors. Each kit provides sufficient quantities to perform 96, 48, 24 tests in a 96, 48, 24-well plate, respectively.
Assay Principle
Related Products
1. CBA-220: CytoSelect 96-Well Phagocytosis Assay (Red Blood Cell, Colorimetric Format) 2. CBA-210: CytoSelect Leukocyte-Endothelium Adhesion Assay 3. CBA-211: CytoSelect Leukocyte-Epithelium Adhesion Assay 4. CBA-212: CytoSelect Leukocyte Transmigration Assay
Kit Components
1. Zymosan Suspension (Part No. 122401): One tube 1.0 mL of prelabeled Zymosan in PBS, 5 X 108 particles/mL 2. Fixation Solution (Part No. 122402): One bottle 20.0 mL of 3.2% Buffered Formaldehyde Solution 3. Blocking Reagent (100X) (Part No. 122403): One tube 200 L 4. 10X Permeabilization Solution ((Part No. 122404): One tube 1.5 mL of PBS/1% Triton X-100 5. Detection Reagent (250X) (Part No. 122405): One tube 50 L 6. Detection Buffer (Part No. 122406): One bottle 10.0 mL 7. Substrate (Part No. 122407): One amber bottle 12.0 mL 8. Stop Solution (Part No. 122408): One bottle 12.0 mL 9. Phagocytosis Inhibitor (Part No. 122006): One amber tube 20 L of 2 mM Cytochalasin D in DMSO
Storage
Store all kit components at 4C.
Preparation of Reagents
Zymosan Suspension: Thaw Zymosan suspension at 4 C. Either nonopsonized or opsonized Zymosan particles can be used in phagocytosis assay. To opsonize Zymosan particles, incubate particles with desired serum or IgG for 30 minutes at 37 C, pellet particles by centrifugation and wash a few times with sterile 1X PBS. Prior to using, resuspend the particles in the same volume of sterile 1X PBS. Store at 4 C. 1X Blocking Reagent: Prepare the appropriate volume for the number of samples being tested. IMMEDIATELY prior to using, dilute the provided 100X Blocking Reagent 1:100 in 1X PBS/0.1% BSA. Do not store.
1X Permeabilization Solution: Prepare the appropriate volume for the number of samples being tested. Prior to using, dilute the provided 10X Permeabilization Solution 1:10 in 1X PBS. Store at 4 C. 1X Detection Reagent: Prepare the appropriate volume for the number of samples being tested. IMMEDIATELY prior to using, dilute the provided 250X Detection Reagent 1:250 in 1X PBS/0.1% BSA. Do not store.
2. Promptly remove the Fixation Solution by gently aspirating or inverting the plate and blotting on a paper towel. Gently tap several times. 3. Wash twice with 1X PBS. 4. Add 100 L of prediluted 1X Blocking Reagent to each well (see Preparation of Reagents Section). Incubate the plate for 60 minutes at room temperature on an orbital shaker. 5. Promptly remove the Blocking Reagent by gently aspirating or inverting the plate and blotting on a paper towel. Gently tap several times. Wash three times with 1X PBS. III. Detection of internalized particles (*Perform steps with care, gently adding solutions as to not disrupt cell attachment*) 1. Remove the PBS wash and add 100 L of prediluted 1X Permeabilization Solution (see Preparation of Reagents Section) to each well, incubate 5 minutes at room temperature. 2. Promptly remove the Permeabilization Solution by gently aspirating or inverting the plate and blotting on a paper towel. Gently tap several times. Wash once with 1X PBS. 3. Add 100 L of prediluted 1X Detection Reagent to each well (see Preparation of Reagents Section). Incubate the plate for 60 minutes at room temperature on an orbital shaker. 4. Promptly remove the Detection Reagent Solution by gently aspirating or inverting the plate and blotting on a paper towel. Gently tap several times. Wash three times with 1X PBS. 5. Add 50 L of Detection Buffer to each well. Incubate the plate for 10 minutes at room temperature on an orbital shaker. 6. Initiate the reaction by adding 100 L of Substrate. Incubate for 5-20 minutes at 37 C. 7. Stop the reaction by adding 50 L of the Stop Solution and mix by placing the plate on an orbital plate shaker for 30 seconds. 8. Read the absorbance of each well at 405 nm.
9. Add 100 L of prediluted 1X Blocking Solution to each well (see Preparation of Reagents Section). Incubate the plate for 60 minutes at room temperature on an orbital shaker. 10. Promptly remove the Blocking Solution by centrifugation and gentle aspiration. Wash three times with 1X PBS. 11. Add 100 L of prediluted 1X Permeabilization Solution (see Preparation of Reagents Section) to each well, incubate 5 minutes at room temperature. 12. Promptly remove the Permeabilization Solution by centrifugation and gentle aspiration. Wash twice with 1X PBS. 13. Add 100 L of prediluted 1X Detection Reagent to each well (see Preparation of Reagents Section). Incubate the plate for 60 minutes at room temperature on an orbital shaker. 14. Promptly remove the Detection Reagent Solution by centrifugation and gentle aspiration. Wash three times with 1X PBS. 15. Add 50 L of Detection Buffer to each well and incubate the plate for 10 minutes at room temperature on an orbital shaker. 16. Initiate the reaction by adding 100 L of Substrate. Incubate for 5-20 minutes at 37 C. 17. Stop the reaction by adding 50 L of the Stop Solution and mix by placing the plate on an orbital plate shaker for 30 seconds. 18. Read the absorbance of each well at 405 nm.
Example of Results
The following figures demonstrate typical results with the CytoSelect 96-well Phagocytosis Assay Kit. Absorbance measurements were performed on a Microplate Autoreader EL311 (Bio-Tek Instruments Inc.) with a 405 nm filter. One should use the data below for reference only. This data should not be used to interpret actual results.
1.4 1.2
OD 405 nm
C Po t rl s Ct rl 0. 03 12 5 0. 06 25 0. 12 5 0. 25
0. 5
eg
Cytochalasin D (M)
Figure 2. Inhibition of Raw 264.7 Macrophage Phagocytosis by Cytochalasin D. 50,000 cells/well of Raw 264.7 macrophages were seeded overnight in a 96-well plate. Cytochalasin D was used to pretreat Raw 264.7 cells for 1 hr at 37 C before addition of Zymosan particles at 50:1 ratio. Phagocytosis was stopped after 30 minutes and the amount of engulfed Zymosan particles was determined as described in the Assay Protocol.
References
1. Sansonetti, P. (2001) Semin. Immunol. 13:381390. 2. Jutras I and Desjardins M. (2005) Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 21:511-27. 3. Janeway, C. A., Jr., and Medzhitov R. (2002) Annu. Rev. Immunol. 20:197216. 4. Gordon, S. (2002) Cell. 111:927930.
Warranty
These products are warranted to perform as described in their labeling and in Cell Biolabs literature when used in accordance with their instructions. THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES THAT EXTEND BEYOND THIS EXPRESSED WARRANTY AND CELL BIOLABS DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CELL BIOLABS sole obligation and purchasers exclusive remedy for breach of this warranty shall be, at the option of CELL BIOLABS, to repair or replace the products. In no event shall CELL BIOLABS be liable for any proximate, incidental or consequential damages in connection with the products.
Contact Information
Cell Biolabs, Inc. 7758 Arjons Drive San Diego, CA 92126 Worldwide: +1 858-271-6500 USA Toll-Free: 1-888-CBL-0505 E-mail: tech@cellbiolabs.com www.cellbiolabs.com
2007-2008: Cell Biolabs, Inc. - All rights reserved. No part of these works may be reproduced in any form without permissions in writing.